Food Festivals in Toledo

Smoke on the Water
Taste of Maumee

Here's one we need: A Chili Mac-Off. We have so many places serving their own beloved recipes. I'd love to try them all side-by-side.

The Farmer's Market downtown has a chili competition every year; it's not restaurants, but the vendors, who compete. All the chili is free.

Greek festival.

Even though it is sponsored by the Greek Orthodox church, I'd say that the Greek food and pastries are still a big showcase.

P.S. The pizza challenge was at Centennial Terrace this past year - I attended, and it was a nice event.

mom2, I'd definitely count the Greek festival. When I said I wasn't looking for church festivals, I meant parish ones like St Pat's, St Joe's, etc, where it's first and foremost a party at their church, and might also happen to be selling hot dogs and pepsi while they do it. The Greek festival is definitely more of a food and culture event, so I'd absolutely count it here.

Birmingham Ethnic Festival.

There's also an Indian (not native American) food festival each year. I believe it's a one day event.

There is also the African American Festival - held around the same time as the Polish Festival.

And there's the annual Irish Festival - used to be held down at the Docks - not sure if that is still the location.

WHAT?! In a town crawling with Mexican restaurants there is no FAJITA FEST?

justareviewer, that would probably require authentic food. If there aren't fluorescent margaritas and Taco Bell inspired dishes, the good people of Toledo wouldn't be interested.

Yes, there is. Forgot about that one. Latino Fest is a one day event at Promenade Park each year.

I've never been so I can't say whether or not the food is authentic. Since there seems to be so little demand for authentic Mexican in Toledo, I'd say there's no guarantee it is.

That's a shame. If there's ever a time for authenticity, it should be during an ethnic festival like that. I know you said you didn't know, but I'd just say as a general rule, an ethnic festival should never bow down to regional palates - serve it the way it was meant to be served.

I couldn't agree more. Since authentic Mexican is in such short supply around here, I've armed myself with a few good Mexican cookbooks and am creating my own at home.

Not surprising to me but likely very surprising to many, authentic Mexican cuisine is NOT served drowning in yellow cheese - or whatever it is that comes with what passes for Mexican around here. It's all about the spice and the sauces.

Which of these festivals have the Great Lake Erie & Western French Fry Company as a vendor. Now and then I like to have an order of those big, thick fries and then walk them off at the festival.

Found this today because Capers has a group going.

March 2nd, 2012 Glass City Beer Fest
http://www.dotoledo.org/Events/Glass-City-Beer-Fest

Trilby: the Ox roast in Millbury has fries like that. Love'em.

I've heard the past few were pretty killer

I've never been so I can't say whether or not the food is authentic. Since there seems to be so little demand for authentic Mexican in Toledo, I'd say there's no guarantee it is.

i've been many times and the food is fantastic

One of my college roommates lived in Mexico for several years in middle school, and learned to cook all the authentic stuff while living there. It was a real treat when he would decide to cook for all of us!

Wait, the ESM is closing so how the hell is the Beer Fest going to be held there??!?!

Regarding the Irish Fest, I contacted the Toledo Irish American Club a few years ago and asked when they were next going to have a festival and was basically told they were bankrupt and were looking for financial support before hosting another one. Maybe they spent a lot of money on gigs like Coyote Run. They were pretty damn cool.

inga: there was an Irish festival last Saint Patricks day at the pug across from Pizzapopolis last year. Noticed they even sectioned off that one road between the two buildings for the festivities.

Not sure if it's related to the one we had years ago but heard good things about it.

I went to an Irish Festival a couple years at Central Catholic and hated it. I don't know who hosted it but it was too crowded to be stuck in the auditorium. I hope the festival returns one day to International Park.

I went to that, it was "small" but well run and pretty fun. Lots of good stuff for the kids and after dark pub songs were sung by all.

There's also the Zoo to Do event. I went to it last year and it was a blast!

Taste of Toledo was so much fun when it was all on the street. It's too crowded in the park.